Calling all tomato growers
Tomato hopefuls are greeted by Newsday Garden Detective Jessica Damiano, who's handing out sign-in sheets to enter the contest for weigh-ins during the third annual great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday's headquarters in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009) Credit: Newsday/Ana P. Gutierrez
Be sure to join this year's Great Long Island Tomato Challenge. Last year, more than 100 backyard growers entered the contest in the quest to find Long Island's biggest tomato. The event will take place at Newsday headquarters in Melville in late August.
Here's a little coaching to get you started. Tomatoes with greatest size potential include Radiator Charlie’s Mortgage Lifter, The Dutchman, Big Zac, and any of the giant Belgium or red Beefsteaks.
Past winners include a Burpee Porterhouse (currently the title holder and largest Long Island tomato on record), a Bull's Heart and an "Ugly" tomato, grown from Italian seeds.
